AMD is set to unveil the new Radeon RX 9070-series graphics cards on February 28 at 8 AM ET via its official YouTube channel. Enthusiasts are eager for this launch, hoping for an improved price-to-performance balance and better availability.
AMD’s Reference Design and Market Strategy
The marketing visuals released by AMD previously suggested a reference design for the Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT. However, AMD has since clarified that these designs are “Artistic Render. Not Available for Purchase.” This announcement suggests that the company may not release reference models this generation, allowing AIB partners to receive a larger share of production, albeit potentially limiting consumers’ options at MSRP.
Typically, AMD’s partners provide enhanced and well-cooled custom versions of the GPUs. Despite this, some users prefer the simplicity of reference models. Still, there will be budget-friendly options from various brands aiming to offer straightforward solutions rather than complex features.
Pricing and Availability Insights
While AMD has not officially disclosed specifications or pricing, there have been several preliminary retailer listings. A Spanish retailer recently listed the RX 9070 for approximately $912 and the RX 9070 XT for $1,097, including VAT. Meanwhile, earlier listings from B&H hinted at a January 23 pre-order date, and Amazon had RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT listed at $649 and $749, respectively. However, these prices should be treated with caution as they may be placeholders.
Asus has introduced its Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT models under the Prime and TUF Gaming brands during CES 2025, although detailed specifications were not provided. Previous leaks indicate the RX 9070 series may include PCIe 5.0 support, with the RX 9070 XT reportedly featuring 16GB of VRAM, a 256-bit interface, and 4,096 Stream Processors.
Technological Advancements
The RX 9070 series is expected to utilize the RDNA 4 architecture, which is designed to enhance computing power with improved AI and Ray Tracing capabilities as well as enhanced media encoding techniques.
With the launch date approaching, AMD is likely to reveal detailed specifications, suggested retail pricing, and various models from its AIB partners. This presents a strategic opportunity for AMD to leverage the current challenges facing the GeForce RTX 50-series, such as issues relating to missing ROPs, black screen failures, and faulty power connectors.
